Autoimmune Support

Key takeaways

• Immunosuppressants and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs differ in onset, monitoring, pregnancy risks and effects on infection defence.
• Blood counts and liver, kidney or medicine-level tests may be needed before and during treatment.
• Do not stop a transplant or autoimmune medicine without the treating team, because disease flare or transplant rejection can be serious.

Listings are for comparison and general information, not a treatment recommendation; suitability and supply depend on specialist, clinician and pharmacy checks, prescription requirements and monitoring.

How the medicine groups differ

Tacrolimus and ciclosporin require careful interaction and, in many cases, blood-level monitoring. Azathioprine, methotrexate, leflunomide and mycophenolate mofetil have different organ, blood-count and reproductive risks. A medicine may have roles in more than one condition, but its monitoring plan is not transferable.

What these medicines are used for

This category includes medicines used for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis and prevention or treatment of transplant rejection.

Important safety checks

Tell the treating team about infection symptoms, vaccination plans, pregnancy or pregnancy planning, and every medicine or supplement. Live vaccines may be unsuitable during some treatments. Avoid changing brands, formulations or timing of transplant medicines without specialist and pharmacy confirmation.

When to seek urgent care

Seek prompt medical care for fever, breathing difficulty, a painful spreading rash, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe mouth ulcers, jaundice or markedly reduced urine. Transplant recipients should urgently contact their team for missed doses, persistent vomiting or possible rejection symptoms.